Value stamping device



June 18, 1935. M. KALMAN VALUE STAMPING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1950 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 InvenZ'or Jmirfin .m 2 9 1 1* June 18, 1935. KALMAN 2,005,038

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June 18, 1935. M. KALMAN 2,005,038

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VALUE STAMPING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1930 17 sheets-Sheet 11 June 18, 1935. M. KALMAN VALUE STAMPING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1930 17 Sheets-Sheet 12 June 18, 1935. M. KALMAN VALUE STAMPING DEVICE Filed July 18,1950 1'? Sheets-Sheet l3 NEE Inll'nibr Marion Eal 92/ ##ornjys.

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VALUE STAMPI NG DEVICE Filed July 18, 1930 17 Sheets-Sheet l7 q: Ina/6n 72);" Marlbm E dZma n/ I Patented June 18, 1935 PATENT OFFICE VALUE STAMPING DEVICE Mai-ton Kalman, Budapest, Hungary, assignor to Universal Postal Frankers, Limited, London, England, a corporation of Great Britain Application July 18, 1930, Serial No. 468,929 In Great Britain July 19, 1929 23 Claims.

This invention is a novel improvement in machines whereby devices for printing values may be set to print any desired value or number up to a maximum capacity and may be adjusted by manually controlled setting up devices, and

then printed either directly upon envelopes or upon strips or webs of paper, and the amount registered in the machine. In the particular embodiment of the machine illustrated in the drawings I have provided means whereby stamping or other indicia of any desired value up to the maximum may be set and printed upon an envelope, and/or also upon one or a plurality of strips or webs during each cycle of operations of the machine; and also the value of the stamp printed, at each operation, be also printed upon a record strip; and means are also provided whereby the value of each stamp printed is registered.

In such machine the printing devices are carried in a rotatable drum which has on its periphery a printing plate, which may be engraved with any suitable stamp, ticket, or other device which it is desired to print, and within this drum are arranged devices for printing any desired value in such stamp, also devices whereby a serial number may be printed in the stamp, also devices whereby any specific designation can be printed in such stamp; and also devices whereby the date may be printed in the stamp; all during each rotation of the drum. The machine also has means whereby the value of each stamp printed will be registered. It also has devices. controlled by manually operable keys or levers which can be set in accordance with the value to be printed, and in such setting will operate mechanism whereby the value printing devices in the drum will be adjusted so that at the next succeeding operation of the drum this particular value will be printed in the stamp; and said setting up devices are such that during such printing operation of the drum the register will be operated by the set-up devices in accordance with the value of the stamp printed. The construction is such that the setting up devices will be disengaged from value printing devices in the drum prior to and during the rotation of the drum, and will be disconnected from the register when the drum is in normal position and the setting up devices are again operatively connected with the value printing devices in the drum. The machine also includes novel means whereby envelopes or the like may be fed past the drum to receive impressions therefrom at each operation of the stamp. Also novel devices whereby one or more duplicate impressions may be taken from the printing devices on the drum during each rotation thereof on one or more strips or webs of paper for the purpose of providing record and' voucher strips if desired. Also novel devices for printing the value only of each impression printed upon a record strip. The invention also provides means controlled by a meter or subtracting register whereby when the machine is used as a postage meter or franking machine the subtracting register can be set by the postal authorities for any amount of prepaid postage, and will then permit the machine to be used until the amount of prepaid postage is exhausted, whereupon the subtracting register will release devices which will prevent further eifective operation of the machine until the meter is reset.

Among the novel minor features of the invention are means for preventing rotation of the drum while the setting up devices are being adjusted; means for preventing adjusting of the setting up devices while the drum is being operated to print; an ink reservoir in the drum; the means for presenting envelopes to the impression point; various devices for locking the machine when the total amount for which it has been set has been used; and various locking devices to prevent fraudulent operations of and tampering with the machine; also means whereby the operation of the machine maybe coin controlled. Various other objects of the invention and novel features of construction will be hereinafter set forth.

I will describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, and various modifications; and an explanation and understanding thereof will enable others skilled in the art to I adopt and use the invention. In the claims the essentials of the inventions and novel features of construction and. novel combinationsof parts for which protection is desired are summarized.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the machine the casing removed and some parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1,. Fig. 3 is a left hand view of the machine with the casing removed and partly in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the printing drum on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a top view of the printing drum and its support detached. Fig. 6 is a front view of the printdrum. Fig. 7 is a section of the printing drum on the line VII--VII Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is g, further enlarged sectional view of the drum shcfiiiing the serial number and separate signs printing devices on the line VIIIVI II Fig. '4. Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are enlarged detail views of the device for adjusting and locking the value printing disks. Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are enlarged detail views of the devices for manually operating the main shaft and for stopping same at each complete revolution thereof. Fig. 15 is a front view of part of the envelope guide table. Fig. 16 is a section of the device for raising the envelope guide table on the line XVL-XVI of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a top view of the device for raising the envelope guide table. Fig. 18 is a side view of a modification of the envelope guide table. Figs. 19 and 20 are detail views of part of Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is an enlarged front view of the mechanisms for taking impressions upon a plurality of strips or webs and for directing the strips or webs to and from the impression devices. Fig. 22 is a detail. Fig. 23 is adetail view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 21. Fig.24 is a view of one side of the setting up mechanisms. Fig. 25 is a section on the line XXV-XXV Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is a view from the left of the mechanism shown in Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig. 26 with disk |45 removed. Fig. 27a is a detail view of the disk |50 detached. Fig. '28 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the interlocking members of the setting up device, Fig. 25. Fig. 29 is a section on the line XXIX-XXIX Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a top detail view of the tooth slide Figs. 28 and 29. Fig. 3-1 is a-front view of the receipt guiding table, enlarged. Fig. 32 is a top view thereof. Fig. 33 is an end view of Fig. 31. Fig. 34 is an enlarged detail view of the device for operating the shutter to prevent printing on an envelope. Fig. 35 is a top view of Fig. 34. Fig. 36 is a front view of the complete machine. Fig. 37 is a top view thereof. Fig. 38 is a left hand end elevation thereof. Fig. 39 is a right hand elevation thereof.

The main or drive shaft is mounted in suitable bearings 2, 3, 4, 5 attached to the base l3 (Figs. 1,

The printing drum 9 The printing drum 9 is shown enlarged in Figs. 4-8. In the construction shown this drum carries value or printing devices, serial number printing devices, special designation devices, and date printing devices, which are preferably arranged within one quarter of the periphery of the drum, and are respectively indicated at 22, 23, 24 and 25 in Fig. 5. The drum carries on its surface a printing plate 2| which may consist of one or more curved pieces adapted to print any desired design or other matter which it is desired to have appear in connection with the other printing devices in the drum. The plate is provided with openings for the projection of the aforesaid printing devices U and the impression surfaces of the several printing devices projecting into said plate will be alined with the surface of the plate so that an inclusive impression can be taken therefrom by means of suitable impression devices located at the periphery of the drum as hereinafter explained.

Within the drum opposite the opening 22, Fig. 5 are arranged printing numeral wheels 26 which are mounted rotatorially on a shaft 32, Fig. 7 supported between transverse walls 33 and 34, Fig. 4, the shaft 32 being disposed at right angles to the axis of the drum. Each wheel 26 has numerals 0 to 9 on its periphery and to each wheel 26 is attached a pinion 35 which is adapted to be engaged by one of the teeth of a comb 43 which is pivotally mounted at 42 between the walls 34, 33, Fig. 4, and has an arm 4| that extends through an opening in the inner end wall of the drum (see Fig. 7) and carries a roller 45 engaging a cam member 46 attached to a bearing plate H, in which the shaft I0 is journaled. This cam 46 through roller 45 will cause comb 43 to lock disk 35 and numeral wheels 26 in the positions in which they have been adjusted, during the rotation of the drum and until just before the latter reaches its position of rest, when'the'cam will release the roller 45 and permit the spring 44, Fig. 7, to tilt the comb and disengage it from the pinions 35 and hold it so disengaged while the drum is in its position of rest.

When the comb disengages the pinions 36 the latter are engaged by pinions 2|J| under control of the setting mechanism, hereinafter explained, whereby while the drum is at rest the numeral wheels may be shifted to present the proper type at the periphery of the drum according to the value of the stamp to be printed. But at no time can the numeral wheels 26 be shifted except by the setting up devices, as hereinafter explained.

Serial number printing devices Within the drum 9 opposite the opening 23 therein, Figs. 5 and 8, is located a serial numbering device having numeral printing wheels 36 mounted on an axis 36a at right angles to the axis of the drum, the printing type on the counter wheels projecting through the opening 23w in the printing plate 2| flush with the surface of said plate. These serial printing devices may be of any suitable construction and the specific construction thereof is not claimed herein. When desired it can be operated one point at each rotation of the drum to imprint the serial number on each impression by any suitable means. As shown it is actuated by a rod 48, Fig. 5 which projects through an opening in the frame and is adapted to engage a cam 49 on the member during each rotation of the drum and advance the counter one point. Its numeral wheels are locked by dogs 23n which, during the major portion of thejrotation of the drum, are held closed by,means,'of1amember 231:, Fig. 8 having a stem 23d, pivot 'e 23icfo'nlthe rear wall of the drum 9, and h'airi 'astud =23e engaging an annular ring 23) on'th'e bearing. plate I l, Figs.

Specific designation printing devices Within the drum,. and preferably beside the serial number printing device is a set of printing wheels 5| mountedonshaft '53 at right angles to the shaft of the drum; The respective wheels 5| may bear vgiriable printing characters or designs which it" maybe desired to have appear upon the imprint in connection with the stamp engraved on the plate 2|. Each wheel 5| has a pinion 54 meshing with an intermediate 55 which in turn meshes with a pinion 56 on one of a nested series of shafts 51,, see Figs. 4 and 8, each of shafts 51 carrying a disk 58 the periphery of which projects through an opening 59 in the outer face of the drum (Figs. 6 and 8) so that it can bemanually adjusted when the drum is at rest. By turning the disks 58 the related printing wheel 5| can be shifted to bring the desired.

character thereon to printing position. Each pinion 55 has a notched hub or flange engaged by a spring actuated dog GI, Fig. 8 to hold the same yieldingly in adjusted position. Access can be had to the disks 58 for the purpose of adjusting same through an opening 381 in the easing, see Fig. 36.

The dating stamp I nk supply The printing drum shown also carries an ink supply or fountain which consists of a segmental holder I (Figs. 4, 5, 6) that can be inserted in the periphery of the drum and has its outer portion curved to correspond with the periphery of the drum. The arcuate side of this holder has an opening which is closed by a permeable cover preferably composed of an outer cloth I3 overlying a fine thread mattress cloth I4, which in turn overlies a felt layer I5, under which is a coarse cloth I6 of fabric or metal. The several layers may be secured together at their edges by a moisture proof binding 11, and inserted be-- tween the side walls I8 of the holder. When in position in the drum the arcuate cloth covered surface of the holder is outermost and forms a part of the periphery of the drum. Ink can be supplied to or drained from the holder through openings closed by plugs II. As the holder rotates with the drum, the ink will be thoroughly shaken up and distributed and will permeate through the layers and be thinly distributed on the surface of the outermost layer I3. One filling of the holder with ink will maintain the ink supply for a much longer period than the ordi-' nary exterior inking devices.

As the drum rotates the exterior surface of the fountain successively contacts with inking rollers 85 and 85 located at different points ad- The envelope guide, etc.

Ordinary mail matter (which I will hereinafter designate by the inclusive term envelope) may be passed through the machine and printed by the indicia on the drum. The envelope is guided be tween a plate I2I (Fig. 1) and a yieldable table or envelope support 98, which carries an impression roller I02, projecting slightly above the upper surface of the table at a point below the drum and adapted to press the envelope in contact with printing surfaces on the drum. The shaft of roller I02 is guided in slots 99 inthe table and yieldably supported by spring IIII, Fig. 15. The

table is tiltable on the pivots I09 supported as hereinafter described, and its inner endis normally pressed upward by a spring I03, Figs. 1 and 15, the extent of upward movement of the impression roller and inner end of the table being limited so the rollercannot contact with the drum. The upward movement of the inner end of the table may be regulated by any suitable means. As shown in Fig. 1 a chain or cable I is attached at I04 to the table and a screw I08 which can be adjusted vertically by thumb nuts, as indicated in Fig. 1. This cable I05 limits the upward movement of the inner end of the table under action of spring I03, but permits the table to yield downwardly if necessary. Preferably the pivots I09 are mounted on a yieldable plate I00 Figs. 1547) having depending members I08 slidably engaging guides I01 mounted on the base of the bed I4, Fig. 1. The plate I00 is guided in its vertical movement by vertical pins I I3 telescoping tubular studs I II (Fig. 16) and springs II4 strung on pins I I3 normally tend to raise the latter with the table 98. The upward movement of the table is limited by a ratchet member II5 attached to the plate I00, said member being engaged by a dog IIG attached to an endwise movable shaft IIB mounted in the guides I0I (Figs. 15, 16) a spring I I1 tends to push the dog I I6 and rod I I8 upward into engagement with the ratchet plate II5. Therefore if the table is forcibly depressed against the action of the springs II4 it can be held in depressed position by the dog II6 engaging ratchet I I5. The dog can be disengaged from the plate to permit the springs to raise the table by pushing rod II8 inward, said rod being provided with a button II9 for this purpose. The ratchet plate H5 is preferably provided with a wedge-shaped slot which is engaged by a tapered plug I20 on rod I I8 when the latter is pushed inward, to prevent the springs II I lifting the table too violently and this plug being brought into frictional engagement with the slot in the ratchet II5 when the dog is pushed outward by the ratchet teeth as the table is lowered.

The envelopes are entered from the left, Fig. 1 between the plate I2I and the table 98. If an envelope be thick it will move the guide table 98 downward according to the thickness of the envelope, and the table will be automatically held in this adjusted position by the engagement of teeth H6 with ratchet II5 as above described. If it is desired to change the adjustment of the table the button I I9 can be pushed inward to disengage the ratchet and allow the table to rise ready'to be readjusted to suit thicker or thinner envelopes.

The impression roller I02 does not contact with the printing surfaces on the drum but the printing surfaces of the printing plate 2I and other printing members project beyond the periphery of the drum sufficiently to contact with the periphery of the'impression roller I02 in its outermost position and therefore imprint a thin sheet of paper or card when the table is in its uppermost position. The insertion of an envelope fixes the position of the guiding table and it is unnecessary to again adjust the table for envelopes of similar thickness. The construction is such that the impression roller I02 willpress the envelope into contact with the printing surfaces on the drum but the left hand or receiving end of the table will not unduly bind the envelope between its upper surface and the plate I2I so that the envelope can pass freely through the machine and,

after being printed, be discharged at the v right hand end thereof, Fig. 1. The envelopes ar deliv- 

